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Responsible Dog Ownership Day events set

For the Daily News

Today, the Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Mississippi (GTKCM), the local licensed club of the American Kennel Club, and the Oktibbeha County Humane Society (OCHS) will host an AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day with activities beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m. at the McKee Park large pavilion in Starkville.
Also joining in the event are Mississippi State University Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA), the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and Homeward Bound.
In recognition of this event Mayor Parker Wiseman issued a proclamation citing October 16, 2010, as Responsible Dog Ownership Day in the City of Starkville. The signed proclamation will be on display at the event.
All dog owners are encouraged to attend the RDOD event which will provide educational information and activities to promote responsible dog ownership. Well-behaved dogs that are current on their vaccinations are welcome and must be on a six-foot or shorter leash in compliance with the City of Starkville Animal Control Ordinance.

GTKCM members will be present throughout the event to provide information about responsible dog ownership, dog breeds, kennel club membership, training classes offered by the club, and AKC events including the GTKCM dog shows to be held in Starkville on January 15-16, 2011. Of particular interest will be Rally Obedience demonstrations, a Parade of Breeds, and information about AKC programs that allow participation of mixed breed dogs. These programs include the Canine Good Citizen training and certification, S.T.A.R. Puppy training and certification, and the Canine Partners program which allows mixed breed or non-pedigreed dogs to register with AKC and participate in AKC performance events such as obedience, rally obedience, and agility.

OCHS members will host games for dogs and owners, a pet parade open to all pets, and a cat photo contest. Dog owners who live inside the Starkville city limits will have the opportunity to register their dogs; proof of rabies vaccination is required to register and reduced-price registration is available with proof of spay/neuter of the dog. OCHS members will also provide information about responsible cat ownership, membership and other ways to be involved with the local humane society, and emergency preparedness for pet owners.

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2014 will host a low cost microchip clinic for all pets. Cost of the microchip clinic is $25.00 for the first pet and $20.00 for additional pets from the same home. Along with the low cost of the microchip, owners will be able to register each pet’s microchip for a reduced price of $9.99 (normally $15.00). MSU veterinary students and SCAVMA members will have a teddy bear / stuffed animal repair table at which children can have their well-loved stuffed animals stitched by soon-to-be animal doctors. Veterinary student members of the Behavior Club will provide information about pet behavior.

Homeward Bound, an organization of MSU veterinary students, will host a spay/neuter booth. Pet Halloween photos will also be taken as a fundraiser for Homeward Bound. Pets may wear costumes for the photos, but costumes are not required. All proceeds will help Homeward Bound in its work to transport pets from Mississippi shelters where there are many animals, some of whom would not be adopted, to loving homes in parts of the country where there are not enough shelter pets to fill the demand.

For more information about Responsible Dog Ownership Day contact Diane at 323-8379 or Sonya at 615-3940.